China's elite would normally be watching the election more closely. But with its own once-a-decade leadership transition beginning days after the US votes, it has other matters on its mind.

For many in China, the election is of relatively limited interest. Some will follow results avidly, but others are only concerned about the impact on China.

"I like Obama's style. He is a very charming guy … Romney seems quite aggressive," said Beijing-based marketing researcher Ming Ming, adding: "I'm more concerned about who will have better policy towards China."

Despite the tough-talking on tackling China during debates, he said: "The economic connections [between the countries] matters more than political things. If they become president they will be more realistic."

China is used to playing its part in US presidential races. "It's an old story, China becoming a political card to play in US elections. This year, Romney and Obama seem to be playing it more heavily," an editorial in the populist state-run Global Times said last month.

But Shi Yinhong, an expert on Sino-US relations at Renmin University, said most people were more concerned by issues such as tensions with Japan over disputed islands.

"For those who are paying attention, I guess they may feel both sides are not so nice towards China," he said. "I think maybe in government and the foreign policy elites they feel the lesser evil is still Barack Obama because they're familiar with him.

"If you look at the campaign statements, Romney has been much more combative in terms of US economic rivalry."

Shen Dingli, director of the Centre for American Studies at Fudan University, disagreed. He argued that while China did not officially have a preference - due to the country's doctrine of non-interference in other nations' domestic affairs - in reality it leant to Republicans.

"The Republicans are pro-development, pro-foreign trade, pro-efficiency, pro-capitalism," he said, and were unlikely to push hard for cuts to China's carbon emissions, while Democrats "are pro-American poor people and want to protect jobs".

Shen added: "People claim if Romney is in power, the next day he will tackle China for manipulating the currency. It's a joke. Romney will be China's best friend because he will not honour his threats."

Experts say tough talk from US candidates is rarely matched by their action once in office. Even so, Shi warned that in general "Sino-American rivalries have become more profound and sometimes more tense."